Second-generation sequencing assistance in the diagnosis of empyema: A case report.

empyema is rare and easy to be misdiagnosed. An 81-year-old male patient showed symptoms with cough, sputum, and fever for 3 days. Community-acquired pneumonia was diagnosed firstly. After anti-infection treatment, the patient was still in fever. Chest radiography showed pleural effusion, closed thoracic drainage was performed and the reddish-brown fluid was drained out. The second-generation sequencing was performed on pleural fluid and was detected. has strict requirements for growth conditions and it difficult to cultivate. The application of second-generation sequencing is helpful to diagnose the pathogen rapidly.